Guinea's Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, officially launched the 5th edition of the WCAF UK – Francophone West & Central Africa Forum in the presence of several high-ranking officials, including the President of the National Assembly, Dansa Kourouma, and members of the government. The forum, which brings together over 1,500 participants from 15 countries in West Africa, Central Africa, and the United Kingdom, aims to discuss ways to drive economic development in Africa. The theme of this year's forum is "From cooperation to transformation: building the future of development in Africa".
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah emphasized the need to transform Guinea's natural resources into drivers of economic diversification. He highlighted the Simandou 2040 program, initiated by President Mamadi Doumbouya, as a key strategy to achieve this goal. The program aims to leverage Guinea's mineral wealth to drive economic growth and development. The Prime Minister stressed that this transformation requires reliable electricity, reduced logistics costs, and accessible financing for businesses.
Amadou Oury Bah also emphasized the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and vocational training to prepare young people for the jobs needed to drive Guinea's economic growth. He called for the mobilization of international expertise in finance, engineering, and technology to support the implementation of projects. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for solid studies, balanced contracts, and a controlled distribution of risks to attract investments.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of involving Guinean companies in major projects, ensuring that local content is translated into accessible contracts for national operators, skills transfers, and better qualification of young people. He advocated for a pragmatic and constructive approach between the state, businesses, and the private sector to create a conducive economic ecosystem. Amadou Oury Bah also emphasized Guinea's doctrine of strategic neutrality, which is based on the willingness to cooperate with all countries without exclusivity.
During the two-day forum, meetings and panels will aim to bring together investors, businesses, and project leaders. The Prime Minister expressed his expectation that priority projects will benefit from clearly identified partnerships and credible implementation schedules, with monitoring ensured by competent services. He emphasized that success will be measured by the added value produced in Guinea and the quality of jobs created.
Amadou Oury Bah invited investors to build long-term relationships with Guinea based on trust and mutual respect for commitments. He called for the WCAF UK to become a framework for action and results, enabling announced ambitions to translate into investments, industries, and economic opportunities for Guinean and African populations. The Prime Minister's speech was well-received by participants, who are eager to explore opportunities for economic growth and development in Guinea.
The 5th edition of the WCAF UK has attracted significant attention, with 56 visitors recorded so far. The forum provides a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and explore opportunities for economic transformation in Guinea and beyond. As the forum continues, participants are expected to share experiences, expertise, and innovative solutions to drive economic growth and development in Africa.
Key points
- - Guinea's Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah launches 5th WCAF UK, calls for partnerships to drive economic transformation. - The forum aims to discuss ways to drive economic development in Africa, with a focus on transforming natural resources into drivers of economic diversification. - The Prime Minister emphasizes the need for investments in education, healthcare, and vocational training to prepare young people for the jobs needed to drive Guinea's economic growth.
